Piano harps



l Filed oct. 1o, 1966 Feb. l1, 1969 L. M. HARTMAN 3,426,637

PIANO HARPS Fb. ll, 1969 L.. M. HARTMAN PIANO HARPS Sheet 3 ofZ Filed 0G15. 10, 1966 Maf* United States Patent O 3,426,637 PIANO HARPS Lyle M. Hartman, Rte. 1, Ohaton, Alberta, Canada Filed Oct. 10, 1966, Ser. No. 585,567 U.S. Cl. 84-238 12 Claims Int. Cl. Gc 3/18 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This is a playing action for piano harps and the like actuated by note bars and including means to return the hammer to the uppermost position with the minimum of rebound. It also includes means to disconnect the note bar from the hammer action once the note bar has been depressed, the hammer action returning independently of the note bar.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in piano harps, more specifically to piano harps described and claimed in my United States Patent Nos. 2,532,226 and 3,101,640.

The present invention includes improvements to the playing action and also to the general construction of the sound chamber.

It is desirable in this type of instrument to obtain a playing action which is easily actuated by the note bars and yet which at the same time includes means to return the hammer to the uppermost position with the minimum of rebound. It is also preferable to include means whereby once the note bar is depressed, and the hammer action has started, the note bar is disconnected from the hammer action which returns independently of the note bar. The note bar, when released, then includes means to return it to the uppermost position independently of the hammer action.

I accomplish this end by a novel crank arm type and to the actuator extending between the note bar and the ha-mmer action which disengages from the hammer action just prior to the hammer striking the string thus enabling the hammer to return to the uppermost position irrespective of whether the note bar is released immediately or not.

Means are also provided to maintain the note bars exactly level when in the uppermost position, said means being in conjunction with the return action of the note bar.

Means are provided to minimize rebound of the hammer action comprising a novel weighted damper action or control block which engages the hammer bar as it returns upwardly thus slowing down the movement of the hammer bar as it approaches the uppermost position thereof thereby reducing rebound to a minimum.

The principal object and essence of the invention is thereby to provide an improved playing action in which the hammer action is disconnected from the note bar just prior to the hammer striking the strings thereby permitting the hammer to return to the uppermost position independently of the upwardly movement or return movement of the note bar.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which includes an improved damper action to the hamer bar thus preventing rebound from occurring.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which includes an improved sound chamber construction.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which provides a piano harp instrument which is well engineered,

is provided with a minimum of moving parts, and is otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the foregoing in View, and all those objects, purposes or advantages which may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of the inventive concept embodied in the method, process, construction, arrangement of parts, or new use of the same, as herein particularly exemplified in one or more specific embodiments of such concept, reference being had to the accompanying figures in which:

FIGURE 1 is an enlarged fragmentary side sectional elevation of the playing action showing one note bar and hammer action.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan View of the instrument reduced in scale from FIGURE 1 and cut away in part to show the interior thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a side View of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a partially fragmented isometric view of the supporting structure for the note bars.

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the hammer support bracket assembly showing details thereof.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different gures.

Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference should first be made to FIGURES 2 and 3.

The general configuration of the instrument as seen in FIGURE 2, is triangular and is formed with a Side 10, a front collectively designated 11 and a diagonally extending rear side collectively designated 12.

Reference character 13 illustrates generally the sound chamber and reference character 14 illustrates generally the location of the playing action subsequently to be described.

Hardwood frame members 15, 16 and 17 enclose the areas 13 and 14 and a base panel 18 spans the underside of the sound chamber 13 and the front portion 14.

Stilfening strips 19 are secured to the base 18 and a truss frame collectively designated 20 is in turn secured to the stiffening strips by means of lugs 21 extending from the truss frame.

The truss frame consists of metal members 22 and 23 which extend at right angles to one another, the ends being secured to boundary members 24 as clearly shown in FIGURE 2. These boundary members are in turn screwed to the inner surface of the side members 15, 16 and 17 by 'screws or screw bolts (not illustrated).

An upper or top panel 19 covers the sound chamber 13 and is provided with sound hole 25. The outer surfaces may be carved for decorative purposes and may be iinished in any convenient wood finish and a chrome strip 26 extends around the base of the side 16 and the diagonal side 17. A rubber moulding strip 27 extends across the front adjacent the base thereof.

A plurality of strings 28 extend from pins 29 secured to t-he diagonal side member .17, over suitable bridging 30, and 31, at each end; and are secured to pins 32 secured to the front side of the front frame member 33.

The front section 14, containing the playing action, consists of two end plates 34 and a cross member 35 spanning the inner upper sides of the ends 34 and being secured thereto `by means of screw `bolts 36. Further bolts 37 extend through the base of the device upwardly through the ends 34 to the cross member 35 thus securing the ends to t-he base also.

A cap section member 38 is also secured to the upper sides of the ends 34, screws 40 securing this to the ends in conjunction with locating pins 41 shown in FIGURE 3.

A front panel 42 spans the front side of the playing area 14 thus completing the enclosure of the playing unit framework. Foldable legs 43 extend downwardly from the instrument to support same in the playing position.

The playing action shown in detail in FIGURE 1, includes end view of string damper assembly 39 described in U.S. Patent No. 3,101,640. Said action consists yof note bar assemblies collectively designated 44, a hammer action collectively designated 45, actuator means collectively designated 46 extending between the note bar assemblies 44 and the hammer action 45, means to return the note bars to the uppermost position collectively designated 47 and damper means to prevent rebound of the hammer action, collectively designated 48.

The note bar assemblies 44 consist of the conventional white notes 49 and the black notes 50. As the playing actions for al1 of the notes are the same, only one complete action is shown in FIGURE 1. Supporting structure collectively designated 50 is provided for the note bars, and consists of a substantially box-like framework including end plates 51, base plate 52, top plate 53 and rear wall 54. Details of this construction are shown in FIGURE 4. A plurality of partitions 55 extend within the box-like structure, it being understood that the note bar is positioned between adjacent pairs of partitions.

The rear wall 54 extends downwardly as at 56 and lugs 57 extend downwardly from the side or end walls 51. This permits the box-like structure to be secured to the underside of cross member 35 as by screws 58 and to the ends 34 via lugs 57. A shaft 59 extends horizontally through the supporting structure 50 and the note bars are secured by the rear ends 60 thereof to this shaft by means of brackets 61 and screws 62 thus enabling the note bars to pivot freely on the shaft 59.

Supporting structure collectively designated 63 is provided for the note return means 47 and for the hammer action 45. This consists of a front plate 64 secured by screws 65 to the inner side of the front panel 42, and a base plate or panel 66 extending from the lower side of the front plate 64 and secured to partitions 76.

A plurality of spaced and parallel partitions '76 extend rearwardly from the front plate 64 and this supporting structure together with other structure hereinafter to be described is shown in detail in FIGURE 5.

An angle 4bracket 67 is secured by bolts 68 to the front plate 64 and this angle bracket carries a plurality of upwardly extending guide pins 69 engageable by the underside of the white note bars 49 which are recessed as at 70 as shown in FIGURE l. This prevents undesirable sideways movement of the white notes and the downward movement of the white notes 49 is limited by the flange 71 of the angle bracket 67, a felt pad 72 cushioning the underside 73 of the white note bar 49 when it is depressed. The shorter black note bars 50 are guided or aligned by partitions 55 and felt pads 72 are secured to base plate 52 for cushioning purposes.

Referring next to the hammer action collectively designated 45, this consists of a hammer -bar mount mem-ber 74 pivoted for rocking movement upon a cross shaft 75 extending through the forward ends of the aforementioned partitions 76. These partitions are provided, in this embodiment, between every three hammer bar mounts which in turn are separated one from the other by means of spacers 77 extending around the shaft 75 between adjacent hammer bar mounts, said spacers depending from horizontally situated plates 78 extending between and secured to adjacent partitions 76.

A hammer bar 79 is secured by one end thereof to the underside 80 of the hammer bar mount 74 and this hammer bar is provided with a padded hammer head 81 upon the other end thereof and is situated immediately above the relevant string 28 so that when the hammer bar mount is rocked around the shaft 75, the hammer head strikes the string 28.

A return weight 82 is secured to and forms part of a forward extension 83 of the hammer bar `mount and is situated upon the opposite side of the shaft 75 to the hammer bar 79. This weight, by gravity, normally maintains the hammer head in the uppermost position as shown in FIGURE 1 and returns the hammer head to this position after the note bar is released as will hereinafter be described. In this connection a resilient cushion 84 is provided on the underside of bracket 97 which is detachable from base 52, the upper side of the hammer head normally engaging this resilient cushion as clearly shown in FIGURE 1.

The actu-ating means 46 extends between the note bar 49 and the hammer action 45 thereby operatively connecting the note bar to the hammer action. It consists of an actuator bar 85 secured to the underside 73 of the note bar by means of screw 86 and located by means of lug 87 also on the underside of the note bar v73. This actuator rod or bar extends downwardly and is provided with a crank arm 88 upon the lower end thereof. This crank arm consists of a central portion 89 by which the crank anni is pivoted to the lower end of the actuator rod or bar 85 around pin 90. Ham-mer bar mount engaging means 91 extends downwardly in the form of a leg 92, from the crank arm 89 and is provided with a head 93 on the lower end thereof. This head normally engages a projection 94 extending rearwardly from the hammer bar mount 714 just rearwardly of the shaft 75 so that when the note bar is depressed, the actuator rocks the hammer bar mount around shaft 75 thus moving the hammer head downwardly towards the string 28. In order that a clear note be struck, it is necessary to disengage the actuator from the hammer bar mount just prior to the hammer head 81 striking the string, the inertia already irnparted to the hammer head completing the striking action. The hammer head and hammer bar is shown in the released position in phantom in FIGURE l. This disengagement is provided by means of a further leg 95 extending frorn the crank arm 88 upwardly and rearwardly just below the pivot 90. This leg engages a padded end 96 of a damper bracket 97 which extends from the underside or base 52 of the aforementioned supporting structure 50. These brackets will subsequently be described in further detail. As the leg 95 strikes the padded end 96 of this bracket, the end 93 of the hammer bar mount engaging means 91 is pivoted rearwardly out of engagement with the extension 94 of the hammer bar mount 74 and takes up the position shown in phantom: in FIGURE l. The hammer head 81 thereafter completes the stroke, strikes the string, whereupon the weight 82 returns the hammer head to the uppermost position against the resilient cushion 84 irrespective of whether the note bar 49 is held down at this point or released.

As mentioned previously, means collectively designated 48 are provided in order to prevent the hammer head from rebounding after it has been returned to the resilient cushion 84 by means of return weight 82.

This means 48 includes the aforementioned bracket 97 extending from the base 52 of the supporting structure 50. These brackets are secured to the base by means of screws 98 and supported at one end 99 thereof by means of lugs 100 also secured to the base 52.

In order to prevent the hammer head from rebounding, I have provided a weighted damper 101 pivotally supported between lugs 102 depending from the underside of bracket 97, pivot pin 103 mounting the damper to the lugs 102. This damper is substantially pear-shaped in configuration and is pivoted adjacent the smaller end 104 in such a position that when the hammer bar is moved downwardly, the damper hangs freely in the position shown in phantom in FIGURE 1 ready to be engaged by the hammer bar as same travels upwardly. It is, of course, necessary to ensure that the damper does not hang completely vertical ensuring instant free rightward movement upon contact of hammer 79, and I therefore mount this damper in such a position between lugs 102 so that the small end 104 engages the underside of the bracket 97 and prevents the damper from hanging completely vertical. This damper, which is weighted by weight 105, is covered with felt 106. As the hammer bar 79 moves up- Wardly under the action of the return weight 82, it engages the damper and this Weighted damper, is rotated around pin 102, by the further upward travel of the hammer bar 79 so that the Ihammer bar seats gently against resilient cushion 84 with the minimum of rebound occurring.

Means `are required to re-engage the hammer bar mount engaging means 91 with the extension 94 of the hammer bar mount, when the note bar 49 is released. This is in conjunction with the means 47 to return the note bar 49 to the uppermost position which |will be described at this point.

A cross shaft 106 extends transversely the across supporting structure 63, through the partitions 76. An arm 107 is pivotally mounted upon this cross shaft 106 intermediate the ends thereof and a weight 108 is secured to the front end 109 of this arm and acts downwardly by gravity.

A link 109 is pivotally secured by means of pin 110 to the other end 111 of the arm 107, said link extending up- |Wardly and being pivotally secured by means of pin 112 to a lug 113 extending from the actuator bar or arm 85 secured to the underside 73 of the note bar 49. It `will therefore be seen that when the note bar 49 is released, the weight 108.1wi11 cause the note bar to move upwardly to the uppermost position.

In connection with the return action 107, for the note bars 49, due to the relatively short distance between the shaft 59 mounting the note bars and resilient pads 114 on the upper side of top plate 53, the weights 108 may return the note bars to a position so that they are not all exactly level 'with one another.

`In order to overcome this and to provide adjustment to this ret-urn position, I provide a resilient pad 115 upon which weights 108 rest. This pad is secured to the upper side of a U-shaped spring 116 secured to the base plate 66 of the supporting structure 63. This spring is designed to urge the two ends of the spring towards one another and a screw adjustment 117 is provided through the base 66 and engaging the rupper leg of the spring to position the springs in the desired relationship to the weights 108 whereby the upper surfaces of all of the note bars 49 may be levelled.

Referring back to the means for re-engaging the head 93 with the extension 94 of the hammer bar mount, a further leg 118 extends from the crank arm 89 upwardly and substantially parallel to the actuator member 85. A leg 119 extends downwardly from lug 113 also secured to the actuator. A resilient spring 120 en gages over these legs 118 and 119 and acts as an offcenter spring action. As the crank arm 89 is rotated to disengage end 93 from extension 94, the lower end of this spring is moved rightwardly with relation to FIGURE l thus placing the spring under tension. As soon as the note bar is released and returned to the uppermost position by means of weight 108, this side tension of the spring returns the crank arm to the position shown in solid line in FIGURE 1 thus re-engaging the head 93 with the extension 94.

It will therefore be seen that depressing the note bar 49 causes the actuator collectively designated 46 to rotate the hammer bar mount around shaft 75 thus causing the hammer head to move downwardly and strike the string 28. As it moves downwardly, the actuator is disengaged from the hammer bar mount thus permitting the hammer action 45 to return upwardly and to be cushioned against rebound during this upward travel.

As soon as the note bar is released, the weight 108 causes the note bar to move upwardly to the original position and at the same time re-engages the actuator assembly 46 with the hammer bar mount so that the hammer action is ready for use as soon as the same note bar is struck again.

Various modications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that what is described herein should be regarded as illustrative of such concept and not for the purpose of limiting protection of any particular embodiment thereof, but that only such limitations should be placed upon the scope of protection to which the inventor hereof is entitled, as justice dictates.

What is claimed as my invention is:

1. In a piano harp including a substantially horizontal framework, a sound chamber carried by said framework, a plurality of bridged playing strings extending across said framework above said sound chamber, and a playing action secured to said framework on one side thereof and above one end portion of said strings; said playing action comprising in combination:

supporting structure,

a plurality of note bars pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof in said supporting structure, and

a hammer action for each of said note bars adapted to strike the string therebelow when said note bar is depressed, said hammer action including,

a hammer support bracket secured to said framework,

means operatively connecting said note bar to said hammer action,

means to return said hammer action to the uppermost position after said note bar has been depressed,

means to return said note bar to the uppermost position when same is released, and

means to prevent said hammer action from rebounding when same returns to said uppermost position,

said hammer action including:

a hammer bar,

a string engaging padded hammer head on one end of said bar,

a hammer bar mount pivotally secured within said hammer support bracket and being secured by the upper end thereof to one end of said hammer bar, and

a gravity operated return weight secured to the other side of said hammer bar mount normally maintaining said hammer head in the uppermost position.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said means to prevent said hammer action from rebounding when same is returned to said uppermost position includes;

a damper bracket extending from said supporting structure and overlying said hammer bar,

a padded, weighted damper pivotally secured to and hanging from said damper bracket, said bar engaging said damper when in the uppermost position, said damper hanging olf the vertical position when said bar is moved downwardly free of said damper thereby ensuring the upward pivotal movement of said damper when said bar moves upwardly to the uppermost position.

3. The device according to claim 1 in which said means operatively connecting said note bar to said hammer action includes;

an actuator secured to and extending downwardly from the underside of said note bar,

hammer bar mount engaging means on the lower end of said actuator,

means to disengage said hammer bar mount engaging means prior to said hammer striking said string and,

means to re-engage said hammer bar mount engaging means with the lower end of said actuator when said hammer returns to the uppermost position.

4. The device according to claim 2 in which said means operatively connecting said note bar to said hammer action includes;

an actuator secured to and extending downwardly from the underside of said note bar,

hammer bar mount engaging means on the lower end of said actuator,

means to disengage said hammer bar mount engaging means prior to said hammer striking said string and,

means to re-engage said hammer bar mount engaging means with the lower end of said actuator when said hammer returns to the uppermost position.

5. The device according to claim 3 in which said means to disengage said hammer bar mount engaging means prior to said hammer striking said string includes:

a crank arm pivotally secured to the lower end of said actuator, one leg of said crank arm engaging said hammer bar mount when said note bar is depressed, the other leg of said crank arm engaging the end of said damper bracket as said actuator moves downwardly with said note bar and pivoting said crank arm whereby said one leg of said crank arm disengages from said hammer bar mount just prior to said hammer striking said string.

6. The device according to claim 3 in which said means to return said note bar to the uppermost position includes,

an arm pivoted between the ends thereof to said hammer support bracket,

a weight on one end of said arm, and

a link pivotally connected by one end thereof to the other end of said arm and by the other end thereof to said actuator, said -weight normally maintaining said note bar in the uppermost position.

7. The device according to claim 4 in which said means to return said note bar to the uppermost position includes:

an arm pivoted between the ends thereof to said hammer support bracket;

a weight on one end of said arm, and

a link pivotally connected by one end thereof to the other end of said arm and by the other end thereof to said actuator, said weight normally maintaining said note bar in the uppermost position.

8. The device according to claim 5 in which said means to return said note bar to the uppermost position includes:

an arm pivoted between the ends thereof to said hammer support bracket,

a weight on one end of said arm, and

a link pivotally connected by one end thereof to the other end of said arm and by the other end thereof to said actuator, said weight normally maintaining said note bar in the uppermost position.

9. The device according to claim 5 in which said means to re-engage said hammer bar mount engaging means as said hammer returns to the uppermost position includes:

an olf center spring action extending between said crank arm and said actuator adjacent the pivotal connection of said link thereto, said spring being biassed sideways when said one leg of said crank arm disengages said hammer bar mount, said spring returning to the vertical position when said other leg of said crank arm disengages said damper bracket thereby returning said crank arm to the hammer bar mount engaging position.

10. The device according to claim 8 in which said means to re-engage said hammer bar mount engaging means as said hammer returns to the uppermost position includes:

an off center spring action extending between said crank arm and said actuator adjacent the pivotal connection of said link thereto, said spring being biassed sideways when said one leg of said crank arm disengages said hammer bar mount, said spring returning to the vertical position when said other leg of said crank arm disengages said damper bracket thereby returning said crank arm to the hammer bar mount engaging position.

11. The device according to claim 6 which includes means to maintain said note bars level with one another when in the uppermost position, said means including a pad upon which said weight normally rests,

a U-shaped spring secured by one leg thereof to said hammer support bracket, said pad being secured upon the other leg of said spring and means to adjust the relationship between said legs of said spring and hence the resting position of said weight.

12. The device according to claim 9 which includes means to maintain said note bars level with one another when in the uppermost position, said means including a pad upon which said weight normally rests,

a U-shaped spring secured by one leg thereof to said hammer support bracket, said pad being secured upon the other leg of said spring and means to adjust the relationship between said legs of said spring and hence the resting position of said weight.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,605,304 11/1926 Vasey v 84-238 3,101,640 8/1963 Hartman 84-238 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

I. F. GONZALES, Assistant Examiner. 

